Per Mertesacker to become Academy Director following retirement

The Gunners have confirmed on their website that skipper, Per Mertesacker, will become manager of the Arsenal academy at the end of next season.

He will continue to play for another season at the club before taking over at the academy in 2018.

Arsene Wenger has called him “a great example for young players” and will expect him to keep performing in his new role from next year.

The German is a very highly respected character among the Arsenal faithful and his appointment should be well received by the entire Arsenal family. He had informed the manager his decision to retire from football after the coming season according to multiple reports.